As a biology department, our mission to provide students with an integrative knowledge of content, an understanding of the practice of science, the ability to communicate scientific knowledge to a broader community, and professional awareness of the opportunities that await them. More specifically, we have established the following goals for our graduates:
• Content: Graduates should understand major biological concepts and integrate that understanding across levels of biological organization from cellular and molecular biology, to organismal biology, to ecology, and evolutionary biology.
• Practice: Graduates should understand the process of scientific inquiry and develop the ability to independently design and conduct scientific investigations.
• Communication: Graduates should be able to access existing scientific knowledge and effectively communicate their own work to a broader community.
• Professional and Social Awareness: Graduates should develop personal and professional goals, the tools to achieve these goals, and an understanding of professional and social responsibilities.
Biology is presently one of the most exciting and active areas of scientific advancement. Rapid advances in genetic and cellular biology, and the development of biotechnology, have led to improved crops, new medical treatments, and a wealth of new information that will drive continuing advances. Ecological studies continue to elucidate the myriad, and often unsuspected, links between ecosystems on the Earth and will prove essential if we are to better understand global climate change and its likely effects. Evolutionary biology not only continues to inform us about the history of life, but has also proven essential in the battle against drug resistance in microbes. In short, the biological sciences are rapidly advancing and are central to many of societies most pressing problems and debates.
The biology major at McKendree is designed to provide majors a broad-based education, but still allow students room for some specialization. A major in biology prepares students for work in many different areas, including conservation, or wildlife biology, biological education, research in government, business, or academia, laboratory work in the medical setting or work in biotechnology. Graduates are also prepared to enter graduate school in preparation for careers in research or teaching or to pursue professional studies in fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary science. Students interested in majoring in biology and pursuing professional studies in the aforementioned fields after graduation should refer to the Bachelor of Science: Pre-Professional Track program of study in this section of the catalog. A similar option also exists for students interested in majoring in chemistry.
Students may earn a bachelor of arts (BA), a bachelor of science (BS), or a minor in biology. The required courses, elective requirements, and supplementary courses for these options are given below. Both majors are designed to provide students flexibility to take a number of different elective courses in the major. Therefore, students are given the option of concentrating their studies in one or more areas of biology. To graduate, the student must maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average in the courses required for the major. No course, including supplementary courses, taken to satisfy a major requirement may be taken using the Pass/C-/D/Fail grading option. A maximum of 20 credit hours from lower division courses in biology may be applied toward the credit hour total in the major.
To obtain a minor in biology, the student must complete the following courses: BIO 110, 111, 303, and eight additional credit hours of biology courses at the 300 or 400 level. Students pursuing a minor should pay close attention to prerequisite requirements for courses at the 300 or 400 level. Many have a chemistry prerequisite in addition to a biology prerequisite. The same requirements regarding minimum cumulative grade point average and the Pass/C-/D/Fail grading option that apply to the major apply to the minor.
McKendree is a member of the Reis Biological Station Consortium and strongly encourages its biology students to enroll in a field station course during their undergraduate careers. The Reis Biological Station, operated by Saint Louis University, is located in the northern Ozark Mountains near Steelville, Missouri.
Students seeking secondary certification to teach biology must fulfill all of the requirements for Science Education: Biology Emphasis. These requirements are listed in the Courses of Study section of this catalog under Science Education. General Education and other professional education requirements must also be met for certification and are listed in the section entitled “Initial Secondary Certificate” in the Courses of Study section of this catalog under Education, Heath, and Human Performance.
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: 39 crs.
BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I (4)
BIO 111 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II (4)
BIO 211 GENETICS (4)
BIO 220 EVOLUTION (3)
BIO 303 ECOLOGY (4)
BIO 313 CELLULAR BIOLOGY (4)
BIO 451 READINGS IN BIOLOGY (2)
Additional Electives (14)
-Students must take elective courses from biology or biochemistry that satisfy each of the following three areas: cell/molecular, organismal, ecology/evolution. Courses that satisfy these areas are indicated below in the course descriptions under biology and biochemistry. Students are free to take additional elective courses as long as the minimum requirements for elective courses are met.
BACHELOR OF ARTS SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: 20 crs.
CHE 105 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 106 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II (5)
CHE 150 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (4)
CHE 151 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB (1)
LIB 200 FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION LITERACY (1)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:
General Track 41 crs.
BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I (4)
BIO 111 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II (4)
BIO 211 GENETICS (4)
BIO 220 EVOLUTION (3)
BIO 303 ECOLOGY (4)
BIO 313 CELLULAR BIOLOGY (4)
BIO 460 SENIOR THESIS I, II, & III (4)
Additional Electives (14)
-Students must take elective courses from biology or biochemistry that satisfy each of the following three areas: cell/molecular, organismal, and ecology/evolution. Courses that satisfy these areas are indicated below in the course descriptions under biology and biochemistry. Students are free to take additional elective courses as long as the minimum requirements for elective courses are met.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:
General Track 31-33 crs.
CHE 105 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 106 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II (5)
LIB 200 FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION LITERACY (1)
MTH 210 CALCULUS I (4)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
PHY 211 PHYSICS I (4)
Complete one of the two following options:
Option 1:
CHE 150 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (4)
CHE 151 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB (1)
BCH 305 BIOCHEMISTRY I (3)
Option 2:
CHE 205 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 206 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II (5)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:
Pre-Professional Track 41 crs.
BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I (4)
BIO 111 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II (4)
BIO 211 GENETICS (4)
BIO 220 EVOLUTION (3)
BIO 303 ECOLOGY (4)
BIO 313 CELLULAR BIOLOGY (4)
BIO 460 SENIOR THESIS I, II, & III (4)
Additional Biology Electives (14)
-Students must take elective courses from biology that satisfy each of the following three areas: cell/molecular, organismal, and ecology/evolution. Courses that satisfy these areas are indicated below in the course descriptions under biology and biochemistry. Students are free to take additional elective courses as long as the minimum requirements for elective courses are met.
Recommended Electives:
BIO 307 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (5)
BIO 311 MICROBIOLOGY (5)
BIO 330 INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY (4)
BIO 340 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (3)
BIO 370 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (4)
BIO 410 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (4)
BIO 420 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (5)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS:
Pre-Professional Track 40 crs.
BCH 305 BIOCHEMISTRY I (3)
CHE 105 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 106 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II (5)
CHE 205 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (5)
CHE 206 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II (5)
LIB 200 FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION LITERACY (1)
MTH 210 CALCULUS I (4)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
PHY 211 PHYSICS I (4)
PHY 212 PHYSICS II (4)
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES: 7 crs.
BCH 306 BIOCHEMISTRY II (3)
MTH 211 CALCULUS II (4)
BIO 101 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY (4)
This course is intended for the non-science major. The principle objectives are to prepare students to be scientifically literate citizens and to introduce them to major themes in the biological sciences. This includes principles of genetics and inheritance, the impact of biotechnology on society, mechanisms of evolutionary change, and principles of ecology and the connectedness of life. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory each week. Annually, Fall.
BIO 106 INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BIOLOGY (4)
This course is intended for the non-science major. It will introduce students to major themes of plant biology and prepare scientifically literate students across the curriculum. This includes principles of plant form and function, unique aspects of their development, and plant ecology/evolution. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory each week. Alternate years, Fall ‘08.
BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I (4)
This is the first course in a two-semester sequence designed to introduce the student to biology and prepare them for further investigation. It will emphasize basic principles of cellular and molecular biology, including the biochemical basis of life, cellular structure and function, metabolism, and genetics, as well as principles of evolution. The course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: one year of high school biology. Annually, Fall.
BIO 111 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II (4)
This is the second course in a two-semester sequence designed to further introduce the student to biology. It will emphasize basic principles of organismal and population biology including animal and plant structure and function, evolutionary principles and mechanisms, the diversity of life, and ecology. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory period each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Annually, Spring.
BIO 211 GENETICS (4)
Genetics is the study of DNA, the information-bearing material of inheritance, as well as related molecules and processes. This course will examine how DNA is organized, how its information is transmitted from one generation to the next, and how the information it bears is utilized. The study of genetics is foundational to many other biological fields, and this course will provide students with the background they need to go on in such diverse topics as development, physiology, and evolution. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory period each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Annually, Fall.
BIO 220 EVOLUTION (W) (3)
This course introduces the major principles of evolutionary biology. Specific topics include a brief history of evolutionary thought, concepts of evolutionary genetics, adaptation and natural selection, origins of biological diversity, and paleobiology and macroevolution. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Annually, Spring.
BIO 250 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (3)
The major topics of concern in the multifaceted discipline of environmental science will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of environmental problems from the societal, biological, economic, and ecological points of view and the potential or actual solutions to these problems. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week. This course satisfies the ecology/evolution elective area. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
BIO 280-289 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (1-3)
As needed.
BIO 299 PRACTICUM IN BIOLOGY (1-3)
For students at the sophomore level or above who wish to arrange a practicum in the laboratory or other appropriate direct-experience learning situation in biology. Prerequisites: 15 hours of related coursework, grade point average consistent with biology program graduation requirements, and permission of the instructor. No more than eight credit hours combined total for this practicum and any internship may be counted as credit toward the major. As needed.
BIO 303 ECOLOGY (W) (4)
Ecology is the study of the diverse interactions between organisms and their environment, both living and non-living. These interactions drive the organization of life at many levels from individuals to ecosystems. This course examines the connection between ecological interactions and the organization of life, including the evolutionary responses of organisms, population dynamics, energy and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, community structure and global ecology. There will be a required field trip early in the semester. The class meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory period each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Annually, Fall.
BIO 307 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (5)
This course is an integrated study of basic human anatomy and physiology involving concurrent study of structure and function of human organ systems. Lectures emphasize physiological aspects of organ system function within the context of basic anatomy. Laboratories concentrate on anatomy with an emphasis on dissections and some physiological experimentation. This course satisfies either the cell/molecular or organismal elective area. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and two two-hour laboratory periods each week. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or 110 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Annually, Spring.
BIO 311 MICROBIOLOGY (5)
This course deals with the morphology, genetics, physiology, and ecology of bacteria and other microbes. In the laboratory microbiological techniques and applications are stressed. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and two two-hour laboratory periods per week. This course satisfies either the cell/molecular or organismal elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ‘08.
BIO 313 CELLULAR BIOLOGY (4)
This course is an introduction to the biology of all cells with an emphasis placed on eukaryotic cells. Organelles will be studied with attention to their composition, organization, and function. Additional topics to be covered are protein structure/function, bioenergetics, protein sorting, cell communication, and regulation of the cell cycle. The laboratory will emphasize various methods used by cell biologists as powerful tools for examining cell function. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. Annually, Spring.
BIO 325 FIELD BOTANY (4)
This course is an introduction to the biology of local flora. Lectures will emphasize the taxonomy, ecology, and evolution of the vascular plants. Laboratory periods will be used to acquaint students with plant species and communities in the area and to give them experience with plant identification. This course satisfies either the organismal or ecology/evolution elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111, or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
BIO 330 INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY (4)
This course provides an in-depth investigation of the morphology, physiology, phylogeny, taxonomy and natural history of the invertebrate animals, more than 95% of animal species. Lectures will highlight the distinctive features of animal phyla with an emphasis on major innovations in the evolution of animal life. Laboratories will examine the structure, function and identification of invertebrates. Students will be required to prepare an insect collection. This course meets for three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period each week. This course satisfies either the organismal or ecology/evolution elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Spring ‘09.
BIO 340 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (3)
This course focuses on the fundamental events of embryonic development, with an emphasis on genetic and molecular approaches used in modern experimental embryology. As modern developmental biology employs information and techniques from many different fields of biology, this course provides the challenge of learning and integrating diverse topics in biology, including cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolution. We explore the common features of development that are shared by different kinds of organisms and emphasize how diverse organisms use the same signaling and regulatory molecules during embryogenesis. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week. This course satisfies either the cell/molecular or organismal elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
BIO 350 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (3)
This course will examine the evolutionary (ultimate) and mechanistic (proximate) underpinnings of animal behavior in a number of contexts, including foraging, fighting, learning, mating, parental care, and social behavior. Throughout this course students will also examine principles and methods of scientific investigation, and will delve into the scientific literature to better understand scientific communication. This course meets for three hours of lecture each week. This course satisfies either the organismal or ecology/evolution elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110 and 111. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
BIO 370 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (4)
This course is an introduction to the causes and mechanisms of disease. Symptomatic recognition and treatment of disease is discussed in reference to underlying biochemical, genetic, and metabolic malfunctions. Topics covered include diseases at the cellular level, neoplasms, inflammation and repair, hematologic and cardiovascular disorders, disorders of immunity, respiratory, and renal pathology, and diseases of the nervous, muscular, and endocrine systems. The course meets for four hours of lecture per week. This course satisfies either the cell/molecular or organismal elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 307 or equivalent. Same as NSG 370. As needed.
BIO 380-389 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (1-3)
As needed.
BIO 408 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (4)
This course provides an introduction to the physiology of plants. Topics will include water relations, photosynthesis, as well as light, hormonal and electrical signals involved in plant growth and development. In addition, the student will be introduced to a number of classic and modern techniques used by researchers studying the physiology of plants. The course meets for four hours of lecture per week. This course satisfies the organismal elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. CHE 205 recommended. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
BIO 410 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (4)
This course provides an introduction to the structure and function of physiological systems in animals. The primary emphasis is on vertebrates, with comparisons drawn from the entire animal kingdom. Topics include a general introduction to principles of physiology, an overview of physiological processes, and the integration of physiological systems. This course meets for three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory session each week. This course satisfies the organismal elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. CHE 205 recommended. Alternate years, Fall ‘08.
BIO 420 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (5)
This course examines the anatomical and physiological adaptations of vertebrates from an evolutionary perspective using lectures and laboratory exercises. Vertebrate diversity is studied from examining all major living clades. An organ systems approach is used to illustrate general structural and functional
patterns across different vertebrates. The laboratory portion of the course requires of dissection several representative vertebrates. This course meets for three hours of lecture and for two two-hour laboratory sessions each week. This course satisfies either the organismal or ecology/evolution elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106, or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
BIO 430 ADVANCED GENETICS (4)
Modern genetic techniques have revolutionized the biological sciences, and an understanding of genetics is essential to most fields of biology, from wildlife and conservation biology, to biotechnology and
medical research. This course builds upon students’ basic understanding of genetics to develop new molecular genetic skills, a better understanding of experimental approaches in genetics, and the ability to access and organize genetic information from the burgeoning bioinformatics databases. The class meets for two three-hour periods each week that will be divided between lecture and laboratory work. In addition, students may be required to work in the laboratory outside of scheduled class time, depending on the nature of the experiments conducted. This course satisfies the cell/molecular elective area. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111, 210 and CHE 105, 106. Recommended: CHE 205. Alternate Years, Spring ‘09.
BIO 451 READINGS IN BIOLOGY (2)
This course is a guided reading course that allows students to explore a variety of topics and discuss their understanding and interpretation of biological subjects with their peers. The goal of this course is to allow students to pursue specific topics in more detail, and to develop the skills necessary to critically evaluate and discuss technical literature in biology. The course may be taken up to two times for credit towards the major requirements. This course meets for one two hour discussion period each week Annually, Spring.
BIO 460A SENIOR THESIS I (1)
The senior thesis sequence provides students with the opportunity to carry out guided research, in consultation with one or more faculty members. In this first course (typically taken in the Spring of the junior year), students are expected to develop the research proposal. The proposal should provide the necessary background to the work, identify the questions that will be addressed, and present a fully developed experimental or observational design. The class meets for one hour each week. Prerequisites: BIO 110, 111 and CHE 105, 106 and junior standing. Annually, Spring.
BIO 460B SENIOR THESIS II (2)
The senior thesis sequence provides students with the opportunity to carry out guided research, in consultation with one or more faculty members. This course (typically taken in the Fall of the senior year) is a continuation of BIO 460A. Students will carry out their proposed research in collaboration with one or more faculty members. Students will meet regularly with faculty advisors to evaluate their progress. Prerequisite: BIO 460A. Annually, Fall.
BIO 460C SENIOR THESIS III (W) (1)
The senior thesis sequence provides students with the opportunity to carry out guided research, in consultation with one or more faculty members. This course (typically taken in the Spring of the senior year) is a continuation of BIO 460B. Students will complete their analysis of their data and prepare a manuscript based on their work. Students will also be expected to present their work to the broader academic community through an oral presentation or poster. The class meets for one hour each week. Prerequisite: BIO 460B. Annually, Spring.
BIO 461A HONORS SENIOR THESIS I (1)
Same as BIO 460A. Annually, Spring.
BIO 461B HONORS SENIOR THESIS II (2)
Same as BIO 460B. Annually, Fall.
BIO 461C HONORS SENIOR THESIS III (W) (1)
Same as BIO 460C. Annually, Spring.
BIO 470 INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY (3-8)
No more than four hours of internship may be counted toward a major in biology. As needed.
BIO 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)